Pukará de Quitor
A stone fortress built by the Atacameño people on a hillside in the 12th century. It resisted Spanish conquistadors in 1540, and the hilltop overlooks the oasis.
Quitor Fortress is built on a hillside on the western bank of the San Pedro River valley. Hundreds of stone houses, storehouses, and defensive walls are stacked one above another. It is a national historic monument. In 1540, Pedro de Valdivia and his men fought with the Indigenous people here before taking the fortress. A walking trail up to the top takes about 30 to 40 minutes. From there you can overlook the San Pedro oasis, the Cordillera de la Sal, and the Licancabur volcano. There is a statue at the top honoring an Indigenous leader. The entry fee is charged in pesos. It is about 3 kilometers from the town center and suits cycling or walking.
Opening hours
About 08:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- R. P. Gustavo Le Paige Archaeological Museum
- Church of San Pedro de Atacama
- San Pedro de Atacama
- Valle de la Muerte (Valle de Marte)
- Piedra del Coyote (Mirador de Kari)
- Aldea de Tulor
- Valle de la Luna (Atacama)
- Laguna Cejar